Novell moves to ext3 with OpenSuse 10.2

Novell has released its latest free version of Linux, OpenSuse 10.2, fulfilling a promise to change its default file system software.

The new product uses ext3 to oversee how files are stored on hard drives, said project manager Michael Loeffler in a mailing list posting announcing the new version. Suse once was the highest-profile user of an alternative, ReiserFS, but moved away.

The new version also includes Firefox 2.0 and new power management, Loeffler said. "As usual, we ship all the latest open source packages available at the time. But we want to give special mention to the redesigned GNOME and KDE desktop," he said.

The software can be downloaded for free or purchased along with a manual and 90 days of support for $59.95.